• Next Meeting: Monday, September 13

• ASPCA Alert: Pets Suffering from Heatstroke in Parked Cars
  

• Winners of the HSMC's first Raffle for Signed NFL Jerseys!

• Pet Wash Results!

• Featured McDonough County Shelter Animals!

• Thinking of making a Donation...

• HSMC Business Members...

• Reporting Abuse or Neglect

• Cat Vaccines

• Please Spay and Neuter...

• Proof of Purchase Program

ASPCA Alert:
Pets Suffering from Heatstroke in Parked Cars


As many parts of the country struggle with recent heat waves, we’ve all seen the disturbing news reports of pets, mostly dogs, dying from heatstroke as a result of being left in parked cars. Just last week, a Bronx, NY, man left his Maltese in his van—with the windows cracked—while he went for a swim at a state park. The temperature inside the van climbed to 140 degrees and despite intervention by park police, the dog didn't survive.
Even on a relatively mild 85-degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of a car to reach 102 degrees—and within 30 minutes, the inside of the car can be a staggering 120 degrees. Leaving windows open a few inches does not help. Furthermore, when it comes to the body’s ability to cool itself, canine physiology is vastly different from ours. While humans have sweat glands all over our bodies that help regulate our body heat, dogs cool down mostly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. In only a short amount of time, a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain.
At least 14 states * and many municipalities have enacted laws to address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. Under these laws, police, animal control agents, peace officers and others may be authorized to enter a vehicle by whatever means necessary to remove an animal. “I would recommend that if your state doesn't have a specific law addressing animals left in hot cars that you still call law enforcement, because it may be considered animal cruelty under your state or local laws,” says Jill Buckley, Senior Director of ASPCA Government Relations & Mediation.
If you’re out and about on a hot day and see an animal alone in a car, you should immediately try to find the car’s owner. If you have no luck, or if the owner refuses to act, contact local law enforcement and/or animal control.
“The important thing is to get the dog out of the car, keeping in mind that you shouldn’t put your life in danger, either!” says Buckley, who keeps a few copies of the ASPCA’s Pets in Hot Cars flyer (pdf) in her glovebox to give out when appropriate. Please print and distribute these flyers in your neighborhood to help educate people about the danger of leaving pets in hot cars.

* Illinois is one of the 14 states that has enacted a law, 510 ILCS 70/7.1,  to address this problem: Confine any animal in a motor vehicle in such a manner that places it in a life or health threatening situation by exposure to a prolonged period of extreme heat or cold, without proper ventilation or other protection from such heat or cold. A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.  A second or subsequent violation is a Class B misdemeanor.  An animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department investigator has authority to enter such motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible. 

Thinking of making a Donation? Here are some ideas...

Donate!  Donations of any amount are always appreciated.  You can specify what the donation should be used toward, donate in honor of someone, or a Memorial Gift. A Memorial Gift is a beautiful testimony to the life of a beloved person or pet who has passed on—and the gift of life for animals in need. It can be just the right touch for expressing compassion to someone who has had a loss. Click here for a Donation Form.  

Gift Memberships are a great gift idea for holidays, birthdays or just because.  An HSMC  gift membership is a great way to give a gift that improves the lives of the animals in our community.  Gift memberships include a membership card, an HSMC refrigerator magnet, and a free subscription to the HSMC’s quarterly newsletter ‘Waggin Tales’. Click here for a Gift Membership form.

Become a member or renew your membership! Click here for a membership form.

Become a Business Member! The HSMC offers three business membership levels:
$100 Protector, $250 Guardian, $500 Defender.
2010 Business Memberships include: a certificate of membership, 2 copies of Waggin’ Tales (more upon request), a magnetic business card with the HSMC and the McDonough County Animal Shelter contact information, recognition of your support (on the HSMC website, in the HSMC Newsletter, and any other opportunities), and the knowledge that your business is a core supporter of the HSMC mission to protect and improve the lives of the animals living in our community. Click here for a membership form.

To learn more about what the Humane Society of McDonough County does, read our brochure.

Please mail Donations to:

Humane Society of McDonough County
PO Box 7
Macomb, IL 61455

Cat Vaccines!

The Humane Society of McDonough County has set up a flow-through account for anyone wishing to donate money specifically for the purchase of vaccines for the cats at the McDonough County Animal Shelter.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated.
Your efforts have saved many lives.

If you wish to donate to this cause:

Please make checks payable to: Humane Society of McDonough County
Specify in the memo section: 'CAT VACCINES'
Mail to: PO Box 7, Macomb, IL 61455

The HSMC is honored to have the following
Business Members:

All Pets Veterinary Clinic
Animal Medical Center
ClugstonTibbitts Funeral Home
Diamond Den
First Bankers Trust
Magnolia's Restaurant & Catering
No Place Like Home
Purdum Gray Ingledue
State Farm Insurance - Cathy Early

Reporting Abuse or Neglect

What to do when you know an animal is being
abused or neglected:

Notify the Animal Control Officer at the
McDonough County Animal Shelter
as soon as possible;
837-2989, or email mcas@macomb.com
or the McDonough County Sheriff's office, 833-2323.

You may need to check back with the shelter to find out the status of the situation. Also, read our Tips for Reporting Abuse in McDonough County and the
ASPCA's Tips for Determining and Reporting Abuse.

If the situation persists, please contact our Humane Society President.